The City of Hillsboro is testing air and soil for lead contamination at three public facilities near Hillsboro Airport, following the City Council's unanimous vote on July 21 to adopt Resolution 2930.

The facilities under testing are Brookwood Library, located adjacent to the airport; Hidden Creek Community Center, 0.85 miles from the airport; and Tyson Recreational Center, 0.95 miles away.

The city has hired an environmental consultant to conduct the work, according to Oregon Aviation Watch, which documented the council meeting.

Why it matters

Hillsboro Airport ranks eighth nationally in lead emissions released during landing and takeoff cycles, according to the 2017 EPA National Emissions Inventory, the most recent available, as cited by Oregon Aviation Watch.

The airport is Oregon's largest facility source of lead emissions.

Sustainability and Resiliency Manager Robin Straughan told the council on July 21 that "children and pregnant people are predominantly affected by lead poisoning because it impacts the developing brain."

A study published in August 2024 in Environmental Health Perspectives found that children living near airports had higher blood lead levels on average than those living farther away, according to testimony from Katie Riley, a public health researcher and assistant professor emerita at OHSU's Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.

The CDC, EPA, World Health Organization, and American Academy of Pediatrics all state there is no safe level of lead in a child's blood.

Council pushes for accountability and outreach

Council President Rob Harris secured a commitment for quarterly staff reports on the Port of Portland's progress toward providing unleaded fuel at the airport.

Harris also expressed interest in exploring whether the transition could happen before the Port's 2030 target.

Councilor Kipperlyn Sinclair raised concerns about the availability of multilingual informational materials on lead exposure and asked whether the Port would install warning signage along the airport's outer perimeter.

Staff indicated the Port has not addressed the signage issue.

Councilor Olivia Alcaire said at the July 21 meeting: "Lead is a real problem. Affecting children's health is a real problem. There is a lot more protection that needs to happen and addressing of health issues that have been impacting people for a long time."

Alcaire emphasized that both the city and the Port should actively notify the public about aviation lead dangers, including risks from attending events like the airshow near the airport.

What residents can do

The city is working with the Oregon Health Authority and Washington County Public Health to share information about lead exposure risks and how to access blood and soil testing.

The Oregon Health Authority recommends that families living near airports ask their child's pediatrician for a blood lead test. Children enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan must receive a blood lead test at 12 and 24 months, or before age 6 if never tested.

A result of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or higher triggers follow-up from the local public health authority.

Residents with a health care provider can request testing through Washington County Public Health. Options for those without a provider are still being explored, city staff said.